1. Your name, as you would prefer it to be stated?
Jake McFarland
2. Your current location?
Berwyn, PA
3. Your Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn account links (or other websites as well)?
Facebook: Jake Daniel, LinkedIn: Jake McFarland
Fraternity Stuff:
4. Badge Number?
#130
5. Pledge Class Name?
Tau
6. Fraternity Nickname, if you remember it?
N. Jim .24
7. Story behind how you got your nickname, if you remember it?
It is a long story filled with poor decisions and the consequences that followed. The N. Jim is from the American snoozefest The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. My grandbig, Greg Finn, was nicknamed Finn for his surname. He named his first little, my big, Sawyer. My big gave me the name because I had not made a good first impression with the fraternity after my pinning night. According to my big, I shared similarities with N. Jim. People “judged” me based off of one thing but I was a true gentleman underneath that one poor decision.
The .24 of my nickname completes the story. That was my BAC after three hours of being nearly comatose from alcohol poisoning. I decided that drinking a quarter of a handle of vodka with some brothers was an appropriate way to celebrate my pinning night. I blacked out at the ASA house and woke up in a hospital bed. I was legally drunk for a day and I had one hell of a hangover. Needless to say, I got really f***ing LUCKY. I am not a smart person. If you think you are too drunk or if you see someone drinking too much, drink water and stop drinking. Get help if you think someone is in trouble, I am very thankful that someone did that for me.
8. Your fondest memory of being a Phi Psi?
One summer night a whole bunch of brothers and some girls were in the two person room upstairs in 411. Gunn is strumming his guitar and Eddie Williams had ordered food from the Cheesesteak Factory. We are all relaxing, enjoying our alcohol and food, Gunn starts playing Time Of Your Life. We all sang along and shared a really amazing moment.
Also, after my initiation, a small group of my pledge class and some older brothers were walking back to Mimosa. We all started singing and screaming the Phi Psi songs and chants as loud as we could. That was hilarious.
9. Your most embarrassing moment as a Phi Psi?
If I had to give an embarrassing moment, it would have to be my pinning night.
10. Your proudest moment as a Phi Psi?
Winning Grand Chapter. Amazing things can happen if you work hard enough.
11. Any unique memories from your time as a Phi Psi?
The best memories I have from college were from spending time with brothers. Way too many to list, but everything I did was unique and awesome.
12. Any fraternal advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today?
Volunteer, do charity work and party when appropriate. Get involved into whatever you can. Employers don’t just look at GPA, they want to see that you did something worth a damn with your college experience. I wish I had volunteered and done more charity work, not only does it look good on a resume, participating in these events with brothers is so much fun.
I had fraternity brothers in my wedding and invited to it. These guys will be there for you no matter what, so take advantage of the close proximity to each other while at Rowan. Life gets complicated when people move away and you don’t see everyone on a daily basis.
13. When was the last time you visited Rowan or the chapter?
Homecoming 2014.
14. What is favorite event the chapter holds?
Clichéd, but Initiations were always a good time.
15. Who's the 1 brother you want to reconnect with / see interviewed here?
Honestly, I don’t have one brother in mind. I would really want to reconnect with anyone who is willing to reach out.
16. Name 1 friend you made in NJE you still keep in touch with…
Eddie Williams, Sean Kennedy, Erik Benson, Eric Destasio.
Career Stuff:
17. Year you graduated from Rowan?
2013
18. Degree(s) you graduated Rowan with?
Management of Information Systems
19. Any advanced degrees or certifications you have?
No, but I am looking to apply to Penn State’s MBA program sometime next year.
20. Your current occupation?
Application Developer
21. Number of years in that occupation?
8 months.
22. Any career advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today?
See the answer for #12. Rowan does a crap job of helping prepare students for life after graduation. It is entirely on you to do research on the job market for your major and apply for internships. Even with previous experience, it still took me a while to find a good paying job that was along the lines of what I wanted to do. College is a huge investment, make sure you are getting the most out of your money. Email your professors for possible job leads, ask them to look over your resume, go to career fairs and apply for internships.
23. What's one piece of advice you'd give every undergraduate about networking?
It is vital. Learn how to network like a professional and you will go far. It takes practice, so go to banquets and the professional gatherings that you are invited to.
Relationships/Family/Personal Stuff:
24. Are you currently in a relationship? If so, with who and for how long?
Newly married,. Amanda Carbonara, a DPhiE from Rowan, for almost two months.
25. Do you have kids? If so, how old and their names?
No, just got married, I don’t need another headache in my life at the moment.
26. Hobbies that you are currently into? What do you like to do in your spare time?
I fish, hike, drink microbrews and good whiskey, build and play with my custom PC, do married people stuff (it is as awesome as it sounds) and I recently got into yoga. I occasionally hang out with friends from NJE as well.
27. Anything you would like to share with other brothers through the blog regarding your relationship/family/personal life?
I got married on March 7th and had fraternity brothers compose the majority of my groomsmen party. It was awesome.
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